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The prestigious celebration of Indian film, the International Indian Film Academy Week, is on in Bangkok between June 6 and June 8.

Local fans can enjoy meeting their superstars, the extravaganza award announcement and world premiere of a blockbuster.

"It is a great opportunity for local people to meet Indian superstars and filmmakers they love," says all time superstar Amitab Bachchan, the IIFA brand ambassador.

IIFA Week started in 2000 at the Millennium Dome in London, England and then went to South Africa's Sun City. Thailand is the eighth country to host the event.

IIFA Week is no longer limited to film. There will be a business forum, fashion show based on film influences as well as celebrity special events.

This year the organiser chose the world premiere of a promising film "Sakar Raj", which stars the Bachchan family, from father Amitab to his son Abhishek and his daughter in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. It is an intense political drama and the sequel to the critically acclaimed "Sarkar."

The IIFA award announcements will be held at the Siam Niramit, with a green carpet to promote the Green Globe Foundation.

Nominations are voted on by visitors to the IIFA website. Votes are collated by PriceWaterhouse. When the nominations were announced and Amitab's son and daughter in-law were among them, one Indian actor said they are fixed.

"The vote is conducted by the PriceWaterhouse and we cannot interfere. The audience will vote through the Internet. It's impossible to favour one person," says Amitab.

During IIFA week last year, more than 4,000 visitors attended events at Yorkshire, England with more than Bt650 million spent.

Organisers hope Thailand will become a major location for Indian films. Already more than 30 films and television programmes worth US$20 million (Bt620 million) have been shot here.

For more information visit iifabuzz.com